Sai Darshan Home <darshan.html>
Date:20 Nov 1998 Occasion:World Conference of
Center Presidents Place:Prashanti Nilayam

Unity is Divinity

Punar Viththam Punar Mithram
Punar Bhaaryaa Punar Mahih
Ethath Sarvam Punar Labhyam
Na Sareeram Punah Punah

Embodiments of Love!

Wealth once lost can be regained by one way or the other; If a friend is
lost, one can make many more through good feelings; if a wife is lost,
one can marry again; if land is lost, it can be reacquired through some
means; but once the body is lost, it cannot be regained. (Sanskrit Sloka)

"Sareeramaadyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam", the body is gifted to man to
undertake righteous actions. So it has to be sanctified by performing
sacred actions. Health is very essential in order to do so. Health is
the foundation on which human life rests. There is no greater wealth
than health. What is the origin of this word 'Health'? It is derived
from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Heilig ', meaning that which is sacred and
pure. The body is a combination of different limbs. So, only when all
limbs are utilized for sacred purposes can one have good health and
happiness. For a healthy mind, one should have a healthy body. The
Spirit (Atma) sustains human life basing on the health of the body and
the mind. Health is the primary requisite for the realization of the
four objectives of human life - Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth),
Kaama (desire) and Moksha (liberation).

Excessive thinking, worrying and studying is the main cause for man's
illness. Some students are absorbed in studies all the time, because of
which they lose their health. There is a limit for everything. The Greek
philosopher, Aristotle conducted extensive research on the digestive
system of the human body. As a result of too much of thinking, his
health deteriorated and ultimately he died of indigestion. Constant
investigations into cardiac ailments made the heart specialist, Dr.
Herin, a heart patient and ultimately led to his death. Excessive
activity in any field is harmful to health. Bear in mind the limitations
of the body and act accordingly.

We are propagating principles of human values among the students. You
should be aware of the capabilities of each student. Weak students
should be equipped adequately both physically and mentally before they
are taught higher values. The truth that health is wealth should be
imprinted in their hearts. The word 'Vidya' has its origin in the
Sanskrit root word 'Vid', meaning wisdom, effulgence and bliss. The
equivalent term for Vidya in English is education. Education is derived
from the root word 'Educare', meaning to bring out or to elicit. "To
bring out" refers to manifesting that which is latent in man.

Educare comprises two aspects; one is related to the head and the other
to the heart. All those that enable man to carry on activities like
reading, writing, undertaking a job and earning a livelihood are related
to the head. Sacred qualities like Compassion, Love, Patience, Truth,
Righteousness and Justice etc. originate from the heart. These are meant
for life, not for a living. The former relates to Pravritti, which is
external and negative in nature and the latter to Nivritti, which is
internal and positive in nature. Compassion, Love, Truth and Patience
cannot be acquired through study of books. They are latent in our
hearts. Educare manifests these latent qualities in man.

'All those that emanate from the head are transient. Good health is
ensured by the proper utilization of head and heart. There are many
unseen qualities in man. But man values only that, which he sees,
listens and experiences. But, no importance is given to that which is
unseen. That which is unseen is actually responsible for experiencing
the fruits of one's action. All human qualities spring from the heart
only, they cannot be obtained from teachers or texts. Today we are human
only in form, lacking human qualities. Human values foster good health
in us.

Just as each limb is as important as any other in the body, so also is
each individual in the society. All limbs have to work in unison for the
effective functioning of the body. Unity is most essential for man.
Unity leads to purity, which in turn leads to divinity. Cultivate the
feeling of brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. People may come
from varied cultures, languages and countries, but all are the children
of God. Since you make distinctions based on country, culture and
language, you are unable to comprehend divinity. Everyone is a member of
the universal family. Teachers must understand this truth and teach
their students.

Teachers should practice before they preach. Be good, do good, see good
and tell good. Practice speaks louder than precept. Modern students are
highly intelligent. They observe the actions and behavior of their
teachers. They respect and follow their teachers only when there is
harmony in thought, word and deed. Earlier teachers were called
'Acharyas', meaning those who practiced what they preached. Today, the
term Acharya lost its significance, since the teachers teach not from
practical experience, but from bookish knowledge. That is why the
desired results are not realized.

Lack of unity leads to fragmentation of country, based on caste,
religion and society. So first and foremost achieve unity. Members of
Sai Organizations should consider unity as their very life breath. They
should not differentiate between people based on caste, creed and
nationality following the example of Sai. Follow the Master. When your
Master Himself treats everyone equally, why not you? Never give scope
for any differences. True independence ties in fostering unity.

The main cause for illness is psychological disturbances. These are
nothing but illusions and dilusions. In olden days diseases were few in
number. But today they are rampant. What is the reason for this? The
fear that one may be a victim of the prevalent disease. '80% of the
diseases are psychological. If you check your pulse rate under anxiety,
you will find it abnormal. Do not bestow undue attention on your health;
discharge your duties peacefully, then everything will be all right.

Everything in God's creation follows certain rules and regulations. Even
the sunrise and sunset are regulated by the Divine command. But, man
today is not following the dictates of God, though he is endowed with
supreme intelligence. Today man is acquiring knowledge, which is
information-oriented, not transformation-oriented. This
information-oriented knowledge makes man a machine, a computer; whereas,
transformation-oriented knowledge makes man a composer. The
transformation-oriented knowledge confers human values. Today everyone
is crazy after computers. What is the benefit accruing from it? Human
brain is being under utilized. Today people depend on calculators for
simple arithmetic. One should make use of the original computer brain,
gifted by God. We are giving up the original for the artificial. Art is
outside; heart is inside. People follow the art, not the heart. Art
should come from the heart.

A lot needs to be modified in the present educational system. Today, I
do not find men taking an active part in the Bal Vikas movement. The
number of certificates awarded to the lady teachers, today, bear ample
testimony to this fact . Bal Vikas movement has gained momentum because
of the active participation of ladies. Men should take a cue from the
ladies and play an active role in Bal Vikas. Some men excuse themselves
from Bal Vikas activities in the name of office work and other
responsibilities. But they have time for watching television, playing
cards, reading newspapers and attending clubs. Can they not utilize this
time in Bal Vikas as the ladies do? The country will prosper on the day
when men cultivate the qualities of sincerity and devotion inherent in
ladies. Take Prasanthi Nilayam as an example. There is a Primary School,
a Higher Secondary School and an Institute here. There is an ocean of
difference in the quality of Primary School students on one hand and
that of the Higher Secondary School and Institute students on the other.
The reason is all teachers in the Primary School are ladies, who treat
the children with motherly love and affection. On the contrary men teach
like fathers with all authority and power. Education should be imparted
with all love and concern for the children, which unfortunately is
lacking in men of today. A lady teacher, if she comes to know that her
student is sick, will visit him at home to enquire about his well-being.
This type of love and concern for the children should develop more and
more among men. Men in position should discharge their duties
commensurate with the salaries received. Women have been setting an
example in this regard. Take for instance the telephone factory in
Bangalore, wherein only women workers are employed. In reply to the
question, why only women are employed in the factory, the Chairman has
clarified that their output is much higher than that of men. Ladies are
more determined, dedicated and devoted to their work as compared to men.
Here is another example. Today you find both men and women driving cars.
But, more accidents occur when men are behind the wheel. This is due to
lack of concentration in men.

Keep in view the prestige and honor of Sathya Sai Organizations.
Whatever you do, be it good or bad, will reflect on Sathya Sai. To keep
up the dignity of Sathya Sai, act in a truthful way. There should not be
any differences or infights among the members of the Organization.
Resolve all conflicts through love and understanding. Love is God; live
in love.

Understand this point clearly. People engaged in various activities take
at least a day off in a week. Why? For effective functioning of man and
machine, rest is essential at regular intervals. Does Sai take any day
off? No! Every day, every minute, every moment, I discharge my duties.
Discharging one's own duty is true Yoga. So do your duty, duty is God;
work is worship. When elders set an ideal, children will follow their
footsteps. Elders should lead from the front. Elders should resolve to
practice and propagate the human values. Chairmen, Secretaries and
Coordinators should plunge into action. Only then there will be
transformation. Information relates to quantity; whereas, transformation
to quality. Quality is essential, not quantity. Leaders should
introspect and find out what transformation is effected in the
individuals rather than keeping a track of the number of certificates
they have awarded. There is lot of work going on abroad. Students
consider human values as their very life breath. Though reluctant in the
beginning, parents are sending their children to the Bal Vikas classes
after observing a remarkable change in them. Human values will spread
based on the interest evinced by the teachers. Everyone should work with
sincerity, honesty, devotion and discipline.

In countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Germany etc., women are
practicing human values more than men. They are following Swami's
command under all circumstances. Here is a small example. It is not for
any glorification that I am relating this. Last week the mother of a
Mahila volunteer expired suddenly. She spent that night in the hospital
and reported for duty as usual the next morning. I asked her as to how
she could make it for duty immediately after the demise of her mother.
She replied, "Swami, You have said that both birth and death are, but,
natural. Both are like twin birds that move together. Anyone who is born
is bound to die. Whatever had to happen has happened. But I must
discharge my duties. This is duty towards God. Everything else is
ephemeral and transient, only God's work is permanent, I have come here
to do that work." She is a resident here in this Mandir and has been
serving for long. Since then she has not taken a single day's leave. The
untimely death of her mother did not deter her from discharging her
duties sincerely. She withstood all this by diverting her mind to God.
Women have that sort of determination. She is none other than Asha,
seated beside Mrs. Shourie. Her husband Shiv Pandit is a lecturer in the
Institute. There are crores and crores of such sincere workers in this
world. They are not striving for name and fame, but for Swami's grace.
You can find fulfillment by practicing at least one or two teachings.
Lord Krishna declared in the Bhagavad Gita, "There is nothing in this
world that I want. Yet, I am constantly engaged in activity for the
welfare of humanity." When God Himself is engaged in selfless activity,
why not man. Success prevails where God and His ardent devotee come
together. So we should determine to follow the path shown by God. Wealth
and property are passing clouds. "Money comes and goes but morality come
and grows." Nothing is great in earning money. What happened to all the
great kings of yore, who ruled over vast kingdoms? Could they take even
a pie with them when they left this world? No! So utilize the money
earned for the welfare of humanity. Do not be proud of your wealth.
Greatness lies in sacrifice alone. One who sacrifices is a true yogi.
One who is immersed in worldly pleasures is a rogi (diseased one). It is
only sacrifice that confers immortality. Serve in your respective
villages. Service does not mean sweeping the roads, cleaning the temple
and feeding the poor. Discharging one's duty sincerely is true service.
Work in accordance to the salary you draw. That is service to the
nation. Ensure that the Government is not put to loss under any
circumstances. We are compelling the Government to borrow, because we
are not contributing our mite in sufficient measure. All those who are
members of the Sai Organization should work hard and wholeheartedly.

Embodiments of Love!

Develop Love, take care of your health and serve the society. Then God
will confer on you the necessary strength and happiness. When God can
make a dumb speak and a lame ascend the mountain why will He forsake
those who are sincere and hard working? Develop faith in God. Mere
chanting of the divine name will not confer peace of mind. Only selfless
service coupled with total faith in God can do that. Treat everyone as
your brother and sister. There may be difference of opinion at times but
that should not lead to hatred and enmity. Pandavas were outstanding
examples. When Pandavas were in exile, Krishna visited them. On finding
only Dharmaja, Krishna enquired about the whereabouts of his remaining
brothers. Dharmaja replied that four of them had gone to fetch food and
the remaining hundred were in Hastinapura. Krishna chided Dharmaja for
considering Kauravas also as brothers to which Dharmaja replied,
"Krishna, don't you know this? When there is an internal conflict among
ourselves we are five and they are hundred in number. But when there is
a threat from external forces, we all unite and are 105 in number."
Differences should not divide us. Members of the Sai Organisations
should foster such unity. Let there not be any conflicts. Live like
children of the same family. Get a good name that there is no other
organization comparable to the Sai Organisation in this world. Develop
love and work unitedly.

Only when five fingers of the hand come together can any task be
accomplished. One may be the president of the Organization. That does
not mean that one can act according to one's whims and fancies. But I am
aware of the fact that there are no such people in Sai Organizations.
Yet, I am cautioning you.

Once there was a quarrel amongst the five fingers of the hand. Each one
claimed that it was the greatest and the most important one. The little
finger felt that it was the chief of all, as it always took the lead in
punishing the wicked. The ring finger claimed that it was the king of
all as it bears the precious gems. The middle finger felt that it was
the one of authority as it had two fingers on either side as bodyguards.
The forefinger claimed that it was the ultimate authority as it
evaluates who was good and who was bad. And in the end the thumb said
that it was the greatest as other fingers were ineffective in its
absence. Each finger is unique in its own way, but it is only when all
are united that success can be achieved. Similarly, all are great, be it
the president, secretary, coordinator or a member. But, to make the work
successful all should unite. All the wings of the Organization -
Samithi, Sevadal, Bal Vikas etc. should work in harmony. Consider
different wings as the fingers of the same hand and work unitedly. So
unity is very essential. You feel the stress and strain when you walk or
work alone; not so when you are in a group.

Let us all grow together, enjoy together,
Let us perform heroic deeds by working together
Let us live without any conflict.

The Vedas echoed the same sentiment in the following verse.

Sahana -vavathu,
Sahanau Bhunakthu,
Sahaveeryam Karavavahai,
Tejaswi Navadheethamasthu Ma Vidhvisavahai

This togetherness made India a land of sacrifice, land of spirituality
and a land of purity.

Embodiments of Love!

In order to realize the goals you have set for yourself, work unitedly.
Dr. Goldstein and Jum Sai spoke very lovingly. They wanted many more Bal
Vikas centers to be started and new institutions founded right from
primary school to college level. Very good. Peace will reign supreme
only when such noble things take place in this world. If you all stand
united these things can be achieved in a moment. I am always in you,
with you, around you, above you and below you. I am not confined to
Prasanthi Nilayam and India alone. I am there wherever you are. Your
heart is my temple. There will be no scarcity whatsoever. You will never
fail in your endeavors. Work with total faith. Have total love. You are
bound to achieve success. The whole world itself will be transformed
into Sathya Sai Organization and Sathya Sai will be installed in the
hearts of one and all. Realize that seva is for the benefit of one's own
self and not for others. You need not wait for My approval of your
projects. I bless all your projects and plans.

[Bhagavan concluded His Divine Discourse with the Bhajan "Govinda
Krishna Jai..." ]

Embodiments of Love!

Just as all of you joined together in perfect harmony and unison in
following My Bhaian, have the same principle of unity in undertaking the
service activities. You should take part not only in community singing
but also in community work. Only then you will be blissful. I wish that
you have this kind of harmony, integration and unity in singing Bhajans
and rendering service to the society and derive the joy therefrom.

------------------------------------------------------------------------